Flexible surgical screwdriver and methods of arthroscopic ligament reconstruction

ABSTRACT

A surgical screwdriver for inserting bone screws in bone tunnels in ligament reconstruction has, in a preferred embodiment, a cannulated flexible shaft portion. The flexible shaft portion is formed by a plurality of linkage members disposed in series. Each linkage member is joined to an adjacent linkage member so as to permit adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis. The screwdriver is used in methods of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction including the steps of introducing the screwdriver along a guide wire through a portal that is offset from the longitudinal axis of a bone tunnel and driving an interference screw mounted on the driver in the bone tunnel to fixate a bone block in the bone tunnel.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.08/340,790, filed Nov. 16, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,407, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/956,733, filed Oct. 2,1992 and issued Feb. 21, 1995 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,170, which is acontinuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/806,906, filed Dec. 13,1991 and issued Nov. 2, 1993 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,996, and applicationSer. No. 07/839,466, filed Feb. 19, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,693.These related applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains to surgical screwdrivers for insertingbone screws and, more particularly, to surgical screwdrivers forinserting interference bone fixation screws in bone tunnels and tomethods of performing arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction ofthe knee.

BACKGROUND ART

Various surgical procedures utilize devices to fixate anatomical tissuefor healing. An example of a fixation device is an interference bonefixation screw, commonly referred to throughout the present descriptionas "interference screw", used to fixate ligaments within bone tunnelsduring cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee.

A surgical screwdriver is commonly used to insert bone screws. This formof screwdriver has a rotatable drive shaft for rotating the screw, andadvancing it along the longitudinal axis of the driver. The drivercooperatively engages with a drive recess, within the interferencescrew, to help achieve axial alignment of the screw with the drive shaftof the screwdriver.

In cruciate ligament reconstruction, the interference screw is insertedinto tandem isometrically positioned bone tunnels formed in the tibiaand femur. A prosthetic ligament graft affixed to bone blocks at eachend is inserted into the bone tunnel such that the ligament extendsacross the knee joint in the anatomical position of the cruciateligament. The bone blocks are fixated within the bone tunnel byinterference screws. Each interference screw is inserted in the bonetunnel so as to be disposed laterally between the walls of the bonetunnel and the bone block. Successful cruciate ligament reconstructiondepends on the proper insertion of the interference screw along thelongitudinal axis of the bone tunnel, parallel to both the tunnel wallsand the bone block. Incorrect insertion of the interference screw causesscrew divergence, resulting in increased difficulty in advancing thescrew in the bone tunnel and reduced contact between the threads on thescrew and the bone block. In addition, screw convergence can result incrushing or fracturing of the ligament and dislocation of the boneblock, causing deviation of the ligament from an accurate,pre-established isometric position.

Cruciate ligament reconstruction is commonly performed as an opensurgical procedure. Incisions on the order of 10 inches in length areutilized to access the knee joint. These relatively long incisions arerequired to provide room for the surgical screwdriver to approach thetibial and femoral bone tunnels from directions aligned with thelongitudinal axes of the bone tunnels and thereby to permit the driverto drive the interference screws effectively in a direction parallelwith the bone block and the walls of the bone tunnels.

Open surgery possesses numerous disadvantageous compared to closedsurgery or less invasive (arthroscopic) surgery for ligamentreconstruction. These disadvantages include possible violation ofmechanoreceptors in the knee, desiccation of articular cartilage of thejoint, increased tissue trauma resulting from incisions accompanied byincreased patient discomfort and delayed post surgical mobility. Inaddition, hospitalization and rehabilitation times may be prolonged.

Accordingly, it is desirable to develop methods for performing cruciateligament reconstruction that are less invasive, such as arthroscopicsurgical procedures. Narrow portals are made with a puncture or stabwound in tissue adjacent to the knee of sufficient size to permitinsertion of surgical instruments at the knee joint with the knee beingvisualized with an arthroscope. An arthroscope is here defined as anyinstrument for insertion into the cavity of a joint in order to inspectits contents. An example of an arthroscope is a fiberscope, which usesfiber optics to transmit images from the interior of the joint.

A method of arthroscopic cruciate ligament reconstruction can providemany benefits over open surgery, including reduced tissue trauma,decreased patient discomfort, earlier and aggressive range of motion andweight bearing without loss of fixation, reduced rehabilitation time andelimination of hospitalization because the procedures can be performedon an out-patient basis.

The limitations on maneuverability imposed by arthroscopic cruciateligament reconstruction and the location of the arthroscopic portals intissue adjacent to the knee mean that conventional drivers with straightdrive shafts, which are used for placing interference screws into bonetunnels through incisions during open surgery, are not suited for thisprocedure.

Indeed, the anteromedial and anterolateral portals are angularly offsetfrom the longitudinal axis of the femoral bone tunnel and therefore thedirection of approach from such portals to the femoral bone tunnel toinsert an interference screw is angularly offset also. The femoral bonetunnel opens on the femoral condyle at a site near the attachment siteof the cruciate ligament. Longitudinal alignment of the screwdriver withthe opening of the femoral bone tunnel on the femoral condyle isdifficult using conventional surgical drivers when the approach is madethrough the arthroscopic portals. This in turn presents difficulties indriving the screw parallel with the longitudinal axis of the femoralbone tunnel and the bone block in the tunnel.

Attempting to force the driver into parallelism with the longitudinalaxis of the femoral bone tunnel runs a number of serious risks,including the possible breakage of the shaft of the driver at the knee;disengagement of the interference screws from the driver duringmanipulation and their contact with adjacent knee structures, followedby loss of the interference screw in the knee; and misalignment of theinterference screw between the wall of the femoral bone tunnel and thebone block.

One compromise approach to the problem of location of arthroscopicportals is to introduce additional portals specifically for the purposeof inserting interference screws into the bone tunnel. One approach isto insert the interference screw through openings of the femoral bonetunnels on the lateral femoral cortex via portals placed proximally andlaterally on the patients' thigh. This approach precludes the use ofblind or closed end femoral bone tunnels. Alternatively, interferencescrews can be inserted through openings in the femoral condyle aftertheir introduction through the tibial bone tunnels.

Angled drivers have been used in industrial applications as wrenches andscrewdrivers, and exemplary of such devices are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,643,052to Badiali, 4,620,458 to Schmidek, 3,788,169 to Nakayama, 3,696,694 toBoro, 3,604,486 to Henry, 3,232,151 to Blachowski, 2,042,376 to Balga,1,428,282 to Glabaznya, 1,398,116 to Root, 1,199,823 to Sadtler, 933,639to Frink and 877,571 to Larson. In medical applications, angled drivershave been used in power tools such as drills, and U.S. Pat. Nos.5,041,119 to Frigg et al and 4,947,942 to Lightle et al are illustrativeof angled, surgical power drills.

Prior art angled surgical drivers are unsuitable for use in leastinvasive, or endoscopic, surgical procedures to insert interferencescrews in bone tunnels directly from portals not aligned parallel withlongitudinal axes of the bone tunnels. Moreover, angled surgical driversin the prior art cannot effectively hold screws captive for insertioninto the body through endoscopic size portals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides, in one embodiment, a flexible surgicalscrewdriver for driving an interference screw into bone so that thescrew is securely supported by the driver until insertion has beencompleted. The flexible surgical driver permits access from anarthroscopic portal not aligned parallel with a longitudinal axis of thebone tunnel to place the interference screw parallel with the walls ofthe bone tunnel and the bone block while driving the screw from adirection angularly disposed with the tunnel wall.

One embodiment has a flexible shaft, a handle mounted to the flexibleshaft for applying rotational force to the shaft, and a drive headmounted on the flexible shaft. The flexible shaft and handle arecannulated according to an embodiment for use with cannulatedinterference screws. The cannulated screw and driver are guided over aguide wire into position along the bone tunnel wall.

The flexible shaft may be formed by a plurality of linkage membersdisposed in series. Each linkage member is joined to an adjacent linkagemember so as to permit adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movablewith respect to one another about a pivot axis while maintaining theability to transmit torque upon the rotation of the handle.

An alternative embodiment of a screwdriver in accordance with thepresent invention permitting access from an arthroscopic portal notaligned parallel with a bone tunnel is an angled driver. The drive shaftis mounted on the operating shaft at an angle of approximately 20° withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft. An indicator onthe handle allows orientation of the drive tip to be identifiedexternally of the body, when the drive tip is inserted in the bodythrough portals of minimal size. The angled driver may be used withoutbeing cannulated. In this case, a retaining mechanism for holding acannulated interference screw captive on the drive shaft prior to screwinsertion includes a wire having a proximal cylindrical section securedin a passage in the drive tip aligned with the longitudinal axis of thedrive shaft and a distal cylindrical section that protrudes beyond thedrive tip to be received in the cannula of the interference screw. Thedistal cylindrical section of the retaining mechanism is formed with athermally set, slight curve or kink to hold the screw temporarily inplace on the drive tip.

The procedure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention advantageously eliminates the step of penetrating the lateralfemoral cortex and permits a countersink of the screw below the openingof the femoral bone tunnel on the femoral condyle. The procedure can beperformed with fewer and smaller portals. In fact, the anteromedial andanterolateral portals formed for procedures preparatory to graftfixation can be utilized to directly insert bone screws in femoral bonetunnels. In addition, hyperflexion of the knee in arthroscopic anteriorcruciate ligament reconstruction can be eliminated.

The surgical instrument provided in a preferred embodiment of theinvention is designed to avoid drive shaft breakage, loss ofinterference screws at the knee joint, and to enhance screw insertionand driver positioning. In addition, screw divergence is minimized andmaximum thread purchase along the length of the bone block is ensured.The embodiment is of unified construction for easy cleaning andsterilization with right and left knee compatibility. The embodimentemploys a lightweight, ergonomic handle providing a balanced feel forthe surgeon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention may be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken side view, partly in longitudinal section, of anembodiment of an angled surgical screwdriver according to the presentinvention, showing an interference screw mounted on the screwdriver;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, broken side view, partly in section, of thedistal end of the angled surgical screwdriver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view, partly in section, of the joint of a right kneepositioned at substantially 900, showing the angled surgical screwdriverof FIG. 1 approaching an open end femoral bone tunnel via ananterolateral portal;

FIG. 3A is a top view of the angled surgical screwdriver of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a broken side view, partly in section, of the drive shaft of arelated embodiment of an angled surgical screwdriver according to thepresent invention, showing a retaining mechanism on the drive shaft andan end of a forming tool for mounting the retaining mechanism on thedrive shaft;

FIG. 5 is a front view, partly in section, of the knee, joint of a rightknee positioned at substantially 90o, showing the angled surgicalscrewdriver of FIG. 4 inserting a bone screw in a closed end femoralbone tunnel via an anteromedial portal;

FIG. 6 is a broken side view of the distal end of a further embodimentof an angled surgical screwdriver according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a broken side view, partly in section, of the drive shaft forthe angled surgical screwdriver of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a broken side view of the distal end of another embodiment ofan angled surgical screwdriver according to the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a cannulated flexible screwdriver of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a curved cannula for use with thescrewdriver of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a broken view of an alternate embodiment of the curvedcannula of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of a further embodiment of a cannulated flexiblescrewdriver of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the screwdriver of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a front view, partly in section, of the joint of a knee,showing the screwdriver of FIG. 9 approaching a femoral tunnel via acurved cannula inserted through an anterolateral portal;

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a cannulated flexible screwdriver inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 shows the screwdriver of FIG. 15 in a flexed position;

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a flexible shaft portion for use withthe screwdriver of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18A is a side view of a linkage member of the flexible shaftportion shown in FIG. 17;

FIG. 18B is a top end view of the linkage member shown in FIG. 18A;

FIG. 19A is an alternate side view of the linkage member shown in FIG.18A having been rotated by 90 degrees about its longitudinal bore;

FIG. 19B is a bottom end view of the linkage member shown in FIG. 19A;

FIGS. 20A-B show a ring for use with the flexible shaft portion shown inFIG. 17.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

An angled surgical screwdriver 10 according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is illustrated in FIG. 1, and includes an elongateoperating shaft 12 with a distal end 16 coupled to a drive shaft 14 anda proximal end 24 on which is mounted a movable portion of handle 22.Concentrically disposed around the operating shaft 12 is a sleeve 18,having a distal end 42, on which is mounted a drive head housing 20 anda proximal end 44 secured in a fixed portion of handle 22. Turning themovable portion of handle 22 with respect to the fixed portion thereofcauses rotation of the drive shaft 14, which is disposed at an angle ofapproximately 20° from the axis of rotation of handle 22. The operationof the screwdriver 12 is described in further detail below.

The operating shaft 12 is preferably made of stainless steel with acylindrical body terminating, at the distal end 16, at a distal end wall30. Fitted concentrically around the distal end 16 is a cylindricalbarrel 28, detail of which is shown in FIG. 2. A socket 32 is formeddistally in barrel 28 in axial alignment with a longitudinal axis of theoperating shaft 12 and, therefore, the longitudinal axis of the driver10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Socket 32 includes successively a tapered distal recess 34 at end wall30, an intermediate recess 36, having a hexagonal configuration incross-section, a cylindrical recess 38, and a conical proximal recess40. The recesses are contiguous. Intermediate recess 36 is formed of sixflat sides extending longitudinally in the barrel 28 from distal recess34 to cylindrical recess 38. The cylindrical recess 38 has a diametersmaller than the diametric, cross-sectional dimension of theintermediate recess 36.

A ball mechanism 56 includes a cylindrical flange 64 joined tocylindrical neck 54, a curved neck 66 extending proximally from flange64, and a ball 68 mounted on curved neck 66. The cylindrical flange 64has an outer diameter that is substantially the same as the outerdiameter of the cylindrical body 48 and larger than the diameter of thecylindrical neck 54, such that an annular recess is definedconcentrically around the cylindrical neck 54 laterally between the body48 and the flange 64 of the drive shaft 14. The ball 68 has a hexagonalconfiguration in cross-section, being formed of six curved surfacesextending proximally from curved neck 66 to an end surface 70. Ball 68is configured to be received in socket 32 of the operating shaft 12 withthe longitudinal axis of the drive shaft 14 disposed at an acute angleof approximately 20° with respect to the longitudinal axis of theoperating shaft 12. Engagement of the ball 68 in the socket 32 causesrotation of the drive shaft 14 in response to rotation of the operatingshaft 12.

Drive shaft 14 is preferably made of stainless steel and, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, includes a cylindrical body 48, a drive tip 52, and theball mechanism 56, in axial alignment. The cylindrical body 48 is joinedto the drive tip 52 at the distal end of a shoulder 50 tapered in adistal direction, the proximal end of shoulder 50 joining a neck 54,which in turn proximally joins the cylindrical body 48 to the ballmechanism 56. The drive tip 52 has a distally tapered shoulder 58terminating distally at an annular, peripheral lip 60, and a cylindricalpassage 62 is formed in the drive tip 52 to extend proximally,longitudinally from lip 60 in axial alignment with the longitudinal axisof the drive shaft.

One purpose of the drive tip 52 is to frictionally secure the end of alength of guide wire 72, such as a nickel-titanium alloy wire, as willbe explained below, as shown in FIG. 1. Another purpose of the drive tipis to frictionally engage a screw. The drive tip 52 has an externalconfiguration to frictionally engage a drive recess 143 of aninterference bone fixation screw 144. The drive tip 52 can have variouscross-sectional configurations--for example, multi-lobed or pronged, orhexagonal--corresponding to the configuration of the drive recess 143 ofthe fixation screw 144, so the screw will be rotated in bone withrotation of the drive shaft 14.

The cylindrical body 48 may be formed with the same cross-sectionalconfiguration as, but slightly greater dimensions than, the drive tip52, so as to frictionally engage the drive recess 143 of the screw 144,when, as shown in FIG. 1, the drive tip 52 is inserted deeply enoughinto the screw 144 to cause the body 48 portion to enter the driverecess 143.

In a preferred embodiment, the drive shaft 14 is prevented from beinginserted into the drive recess 143 so far that the drive head housing 20contacts the proximal end of screw 144. In this embodiment, the back endof the screw 144 is spaced distally from the drive head housing 20 toallow a portion (approximately 5 mm in one preferred embodiment) of thedrive shaft 14 beyond the drive head housing 20 to be exposed. Theexposed portion permits the screw 144 to be countersunk into a bonetunnel by an approximate additional amount equal to the length of theexposed portion.

The back end of the screw can be made to terminate distally of the drivehead housing 20 in various ways. These include (a) making the distancefrom the lip 60 to the drive head housing 20 less than the length of thedrive recess 143; or (b) forming the drive shaft 14 with externalconfigurations or diametric dimensions limiting the distance that thedrive shaft 14 can be inserted in the drive recess 143; or (c) providinga retaining mechanism on the drive shaft 14 that limits the distancethat the drive shaft 14 can be inserted in the drive recess 143 as willbe explained further below.

Drive head housing 20 is preferably made of stainless steel and includesa cylindrical section 74 and a distally tapered nose section 76 joinedto the cylindrical section 74 at a bend 78, the nose section 76extending angularly, distally from the cylindrical section 74. The wallof the cylindrical section 74 has a thickness that is substantiallyconstant along the length of the cylindrical section with an innerdiameter sized to closely receive the outer diameters of the cylindricalbarrel 28 and the sleeve 18. The wall of the nose section 76 has athickness that is greater than the wall thickness of the cylindricalsection 74 at bend 78 to define an internal shoulder 80 serving as astop for cylindrical barrel 28 when operating shaft 12 is disposedwithin the cylindrical section 74. The wall thickness of the nosesection 76 tapers in a distal direction such that an internal,cylindrical passage of substantially constant cross-section is definedalong the length of the nose section. The cylindrical passage of thenose section 76 is disposed at an angle with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the cylindrical passage of the cylindrical section 74 that theangle of the drive shaft 14 with respect to the operating shaft 12.

A C-shaped clip 82 is mounted (by welding, for example, or simply byappropriate dimensions) in an annular slot in the nose section 76 and isreceived in the annular recess around neck 54 to prevent axial movementof the drive shaft 14 while allowing the drive shaft to rotate withinthe housing 20.

In a related embodiment of the angled surgical screwdriver shown inFIGS. 4, 6 and 8, the angled driver 150 is substantially the same as theangled driver 10 of FIG. 1, except that a retaining mechanism 152, forholding an interference bone fixation screw captive on the driver priorto insertion of the screw, is mounted on drive shaft 14. Retainingmechanism 152 includes a length of wire 154 (identified in FIGS. 6 and8), such as a nickel-titanium alloy wire, having a proximal cylindricalsection 156, which is joined to neck 160 at a shoulder 162, and a distalcylindrical section 158 joined to the proximal cylindrical section 156by neck 160.

The neck 160 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outerdiameters of the proximal and distal cylindrical sections, which in turnare slightly smaller than the diameter of the cannula 145 in theinterference bone fixation screw 144. The outer diameter of the proximalcylindrical section 156 is sufficient to be received in the passage 62in the drive tip 52 of drive head 14. The distal cylindrical section 158is formed with a thermally set, slight radius curve along its length.The length of the wire 154 that protrudes beyond the drive tip 52 whenthe proximal cylindrical section 156 is received therein is selected toallow the curved distal cylindrical section 158 to be disposed in thecannula 145 of the screw 144 and to provide frictional engagement withthe walls forming the cannula 145 when the screw is placed upon thedrive shaft 14, such as shown in FIG. 8.

The wire 154 is mounted on the drive shaft 14 by press fitting theproximal cylindrical section 156 in the passage 62 of the drive tip 52in a manner such that the neck 160 is aligned with edge 60 of drive tip52. In some instances, depending on the material from which tip 152 ismade, a press fit is sufficient and there is no need for neck 160 orshoulder 162. In other instances, when a neck and shoulder structure isused, a forming tool 164 is useful.

Forming tool 164 has a longitudinal cavity 166 terminating at a recess168 tapered in the distal direction. In use, the forming tool 164 ismoved along the wire 154 in the direction of the drive shaft 14 untilthe end wall 170 abuts the drive tip 52. In that position, the formingtool is urged against the tip 52, and the forming tool's tapered recess168 forces the lip 60 to grip neck 160, and this grip, along with theshoulder 160, prevent the wire 154 from falling out of the drive shaft14.

The retaining mechanism 152 may be used on drivers having drive tipsaxially aligned with longitudinal axes of the drivers to hold a screwupon the drivers prior to screw insertion, and the retaining mechanism152 is not limited to use with angled drivers. The retaining mechanism152 may also be constructed in such a way that the fit of the wire 154in the cannula 145 of screw 144 limits the depth that the drive shaft 14may be inserted into the drive recess 143.

The proximal end 24 of the operating shaft 12 extends beyond theproximal end 44 of the sleeve 18. A cylindrical aperture 46 to receive aset screw is formed in the proximal extension and is disposed radiallywith respect to the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft 12.

The sleeve 18 has an outer diameter substantially the same as the outerdiameter of barrel 28 at the distal end of the sleeve to form a smoothexternal profile with the barrel. The sleeve 18 has an inner diametersized to closely receive the outer diameter of the operating shaft 12while still permitting the operating shaft 12 to rotate relative to thesleeve 18.

Handle 22 is preferably made of stainless steel and includes a forwardstatic handle section 84, securing sleeve 18, and a rearward movablehandle section 86, rotatable relative to the forward section 84.

Forward handle section 84 is of hollow construction and has acylindrical wall 88 defining an open proximal end and a tapered wall 90distally joined to cylindrical wall 88 and terminating at a front wall92. Wall 90 is tapered in a distal direction and is flared adjacent tofront wall 92 to define an external profile that facilitates graspingduring use. Concentric ribs 94 are provided along an external surface ofthe forward handle section 84 to facilitate gripping during use. Acylindrical bushing 96 is disposed in the open proximal end of theforward handle section 84. The bushing 96 has an annular, peripheralflange 98 at a forward face thereof abutting an internal annularshoulder 100 of the cylindrical wall 88. A central opening is formed inbushing 96 for securing the proximal end 44 of the sleeve 18 therein.Bushing 96 and sleeve 18 are preferably welded to the forward handlesection 84 to form a sealed, water-tight cavity.

Rearward handle section 86 is of hollow construction, having acylindrical wall 102 defining an open distal end that is closed by endcap 104. A cylindrical bushing 106 is disposed in the open distal end ofthe rearward handle section 86. The bushing 106 has an annular,peripheral flange 108 at a forward face thereof, and annular rim 110,extending axially in a direction distal from the flange 108, and acentral, cylindrical protrusion 112 extending in a proximal direction.The bushing 106 is axially in disposed in the open face front end of therearward handle section 86 with flange 108 abutting an internal shoulder114 of cylindrical wall 102. An axial cavity is formed in bushing 106,extending proximally from the forward face thereof into the protrusion112, for mounting the proximal end 24 of the operating shaft 12. Bushing106 is preferably welded to the rearward handle section 86 to form asealed, water-tight cavity. Longitudinal ridges 116 are provided alongan external surface of the rearward handle section 86 to facilitategripping during use. A pair of set screws 120 is used to couple therearward handle section 86 to the operating shaft 12. The screws aredisposed in a cylindrical passage formed in the bushing 106, radiallydisposed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft 12and in communication with the axial cavity of the bushing, thecylindrical passage being aligned with an opening in the cylindricalwall of 102 of the rearward handle section 86.

The forward handle section 84 is assembled with the rearward handlesection 86, in such a way that the cylindrical wall 88 within the distalend of the forward handle section 84 abuts the cylindrical wall 102 ofthe rearward handle section 86 at a junction 124. A ring 126, preferablymade of stainless steel, is disposed concentrically around the handle 22to extend over the junction 124, the ring 126 being mounted in groovesin the forward and rearward handle sections, while creating a stainlessto stainless bearing surface that minimizes friction between therelatively movable components of the handle 22, to provide a goodtactile response during use. A thrust washer 122 is disposedconcentrically within rim 110 abutting the forward face of the bushing106 such that the rearward handle section 86 can be assembled with theforward handle section 84 with the thrust washer 122 abutting a rearwardface of bushing 96 and rim 110 extending along the cylindrical wall 88within the distal end of the forward handle section 84.

Handle 22 is of lightweight, ergonomic construction to provide abalanced feel for a surgeon during use. During use, upon rotation of therearward handle section 86 relative to the forward handle section 84,the operating shaft 12 will be rotated relative to sleeve 18, causingrotation of drive shaft 14 and the drive tip 52.

As shown in FIG. 3A, indicator 127, here an arrow, is provided along anexternal surface of the forward handle section 84 to indicate, from aposition external of the body, the orientation of the drive tip 52 wheninserted in the body through an endoscopic portal. The indicator 127 isdisposed on the same side of handle 22 as the drive tip 52 and isaligned with the drive tip 52 and the longitudinal axis of the surgicalscrewdriver 10 such that, with the indicator 127 facing a surgeon, thedrive tip 52 will be oriented in a direction angularly upward relativeto the longitudinal axis of the surgical screwdriver. The indicator 127may utilize a wide range of suitable symbols, including arrows, lines ordots, and may be formed on the handle in diverse ways, such as by laseretching, engraving, or chemical deposition. Where formed as anindentation in the surface of the forward handle section 84, theindicator 127 can provide a tactile, as well as a visual, indication ofthe position of the drive tip 52.

The angled driver of the embodiment described herein includes numerousdesign features that facilitate its use in arthroscopic anteriorcruciate ligament reconstruction. At the drive tip, the walls of thecylindrical section 74 and the nose section 76 have a minimal thicknessto reduce the overall outer diameter of the angled surgical screwdriver10 in the area of bend 78, and the distance that the angled surgicalscrewdriver 20 protrudes distally beyond bend 78 is minimized to enhancemaneuverability of the driver within the close confines of the kneejoint and to allow the use of smaller portals in arthroscopic cruciateligament reconstruction. The minimal diametric dimension and distaltaper of the nose section facilitate insertion of the driver in bonetunnels, allowing the drive shaft 14 to be inserted in bone tunnels upto bend 78. Shoulders 50 and 58 give the drive head 14 a distal taper,facilitating insertion in portals of minimal size and additionallyenhance maneuverability at the knee joint. The drive shaft 14 protrudesbeyond the back end of the bone screw 144 and spaces the bone screwdistally from the bend 78 a greater amount, such that the bone screw canbe inserted that much further into a bone tunnel with the driverinserted in the bone tunnel up to the bend 78. According to a preferredembodiment, the outer diameter of the angled driver 10 at bend 78 isapproximately 0.350 inches (8.9 mm), and the distance that the driverprotrudes distally of bend 78 is approximately 0.710 inches (18.0 mm).

In accordance with the present invention, an angled surgical screwdrivercan be achieved by providing a flexible drive shaft. In addition, thecapability of guiding the angled screwdriver along a guide wire may bemade possible by providing a cannulation through the drive shaft and thehandle of the screwdriver. Referring now to FIG. 9, a flexiblecannulated screwdriver 210 is shown. A flexible drive shaft 212 may beformed by two or more concentric wire coils. The coils are wound inopposite directions, one being clockwise and another counterclockwise.The coils advantageously leave a tunnel through the center of the shaftthrough which a guide wire may be inserted. A handle 214 is attached toone end of the drive shaft. The handle 214 has a longitudinal tunnel orcannula 215 in alignment with the tunnel through the flexible shaft 212.At the distal end of the drive shaft 212, a drive tip 216 is mounted.The drive tip 216 is configured to engage a drive recess or driveprotrusion at the rear of a screw. The drive tip 216 is cannulated toreceive a guide wire that will pass through the shaft and handle of thedriver. The spiral coils are advantageously flexible so that the driveshaft can assume a wide range of angles for driving a screw into itsdesired location. By providing two oppositely wound coils, thescrewdriver can be used to transmit rotational movement in either aclockwise or counterclockwise direction. In one rotational direction,one of the coils tightens and rotates the drive head. In the oppositerotational direction, the other spiral coil tightens and rotates thedrive head in the opposite rotational direction. If the screwdriver isto be used only for rotation in a single direction, it would besufficient to use a single spiral coil. Moreover, other materials besidespiral coils may provide the requirements of flexibility and rotationalstiffness. For example, the shaft may possibly be formed by aNickel-titanium alloy tube. Therefore, the use of such other materialsand constructions as are well known to those of ordinary skill in theart are included for use within the scope of the present invention of aflexible cannulated surgical screwdriver.

A curved sheath 220 may be used in conjunction with the guide wire toassist in protecting surrounding tissue from the screw threads. Inaccordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the curved sheath220, an opening or slot 222 is provided at the distal end of the sheathto permit direct visualization of the screwdriver tip as it enters thebone tunnel.

The curved sheath may be modified as shown in FIG. 11 to add a sharpflange 224 projecting from the distal end of the curved sheath away fromthe sheath. The sharp flange 224 may be dug into a bone portion of thegraft so as to hold the graft in place during interference screwfixation.

In accordance with a presently preferred embodiment of the cannulatedflexible screwdriver of the invention, reference now is made to FIGS. 12and 13. The handle 214 is designed to give the surgeon enough leverageto apply sufficient torque upon an interference screw. However, care istaken in designing the handle to help avoid application of too muchtorque. For example, the handle on a driver for bio-absorbable screws ismade narrower because such screws cannot withstand as much torque as astainless steel screw. The presently preferred handle dimensions fordriving steel screws are 3/4 inches (2 cm) thick and 11/2 inches (3.8cm) wide at its widest portion. The choice of dimensions depends uponthe type of screw to be used with the driver.

An optional locking screw 230 may be provided on the handle for clampingonto the guide wire when it is within the cannula of the driver. Thiscan be helpful in removing the guide wire from the bone tunnel after theinterference screw has been properly secured between a bone graft andthe bone tunnel wall. After the screwdriving procedure is completed, thelocking screw 230 may be tightened against the guide wire. Then bypulling on the handle of the screwdriver the guide wire is removed fromthe bone tunnel. The locking screw 230 may be made in several parts forease of manufacture. A threaded screw 232 is held within a bushing 234.A knob 236 attaches to the bushing to facilitate manual rotation of thescrew.

The screwdriver shaft may also be formed out of several parts. Securedto the handle in the embodiment of FIG. 12 is a stiff cannulated shaft242. The stiff shaft 242 may be made from stainless steel. A counterboreis provided at the distal end of the stiff shaft for accepting theflexible members 244.

The flexible member 244 of the present embodiment is formed by fourconcentric coil springs. The concentric coil springs fit closely overone another. This prevents a windup delay in the transmission of torquewhen the handle is rotated. The concentric coil springs alternate frominnermost to outermost between clockwise and counterclockwise helixes.While the clockwise springs tighten and transmit torque, thecounterclockwise springs open up. When the driver is rotated in theopposite direction, the counterclockwise springs tighten while theclockwise springs open. If the pitch of the coils is small as in thecase for a single wire, the coils might interengage during applicationof torque. To prevent this, each spring is made with from about three toten wires. The wires are wound in parallel to form a helix of a singlediameter. The reason a plurality of wires is used in each spring is togive the wires of the spring a steeper pitch. With the steeper pitch,during application of torque, adjacent concentric springs will hitagainst each other with wire strands roughly at right angles to oneanother. When the inner spring expands, the outer spring contracts. Thepitched wires prevent interengagement while permitting torquetransmission.

The proximal end of the flexible member 244 is soldered or attached bysome other conventional method within the counterbore of the stiff shaft242. The distal end of the flexible member 244 is soldered or otherwiseattached to a drive tip 246. The drive tip 246 has a head, as describedabove for the angled driver, shaped for engagement with the proximal endof a screw. The drive tip 246 of the flexible driver is cannulated forfitting over a guide wire.

About the outside of the flexible member 244 is a heat shrinked plastictube. The plastic tube is preferably made from an autoclavable material.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, flexible cannulatedscrewdriver may be achieved with a flexible shaft portion having aplurality of linkage members. FIGS. 15 and 16 show a flexible cannulatedscrewdriver 300, including a flexible shaft portion 310 having aplurality of linkage members 311 being disposed in series. Each linkagemember 311 is designed to be pivotally movable with respect to anadjacent linkage member so as to permit the flexible shaft portion 310to conform generally to a curvature along a longitudinal axis 312, oralternatively, to assume a straight configuration. As can be seen inFIG. 15, the flexible shaft portion 310 is attached at its distal end toa drive tip 330 and at its proximal end to a handle 340. The drive tip330 and handle 340 may be configured in the manner of the handles anddrive tips described above. Thus, the handle 340, for example, may beprovided with a locking screw 230 as in FIG. 12. In accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention, the drive tip 330 and the flexibleshaft portion 310 are cannulated so that a guide wire may extend upthrough the drive tip 330 and into the flexible shaft portion 310 whenthe screwdriver 300 is being used to secure an interference screwbetween a bone graft and a bone tunnel wall.

Referring now to FIG. 17, each linkage member 311 is joined to anadjacent linkage member via a link 313 so that each linkage member 311may pivot about an axis 314. The pivot axis 314 for each linkage member311 is transverse to a longitudinal bore 324 (shown in FIGS. 18A, 18B,19A, and 19B). However, as can be seen in FIG. 17, each pivot axis 314also is disposed at an angle (preferably 90 degrees) with respect to thepivot axis of an adjacent linkage member 311. By providing adjacentlinkage members 311 with pivot axes 314 that are perpendicular withrespect to one another, the flexible shaft portion 310 can be made toconform to a desired curve while maintaining the ability to transmittorque upon rotation of the handle 340 so as to rotate the drive tip 330in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction.

A linkage member 311 for use with the flexible shaft portion 310 of thepresent invention is shown in FIGS. 18A-B and 19A-B. It should be notedthat whereas FIG. 18A illustrates a side view of the linkage member 311from one perspective, FIG. 19A illustrates an alternate side view of thesame linkage member 311 having been longitudinally rotated 90 degreesabout the axis 312 from the position shown in FIG. 18A. The linkagemember 311, being generally cylindrical in shape, is formed with a bodysegment 315, a male end 316, and an opposing female end 317 adapted toengage a male end of an adjacent linkage member 311. The male end 316,when viewed from the perspective of FIG. 18A, comprises a tongue 318lying generally in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal bore 324.Tongue 318 projects from the body segment 315 and includes constriction319 and terminates in a cylindroidal lip 320. The lip 320, when viewedfrom the perspective of FIG. 19A, is a cylindroidal member extendingsubstantially across the entire diameter of the body segment 315.

With particular reference to FIG. 19A, the female end 317 includes achannel 321 defining a second plane that is also parallel to thelongitudinal bore 324. Channel 321, designed to receive the tongue 318,sits partially within the body segment 315. That part of channel 321sitting within the body segment 315 preferably conforms to the lip 320of tongue 318, and is provided with somewhat in excess of 180 degrees ofarc so as to retain the lip 320 therein. That part of channel 321 whichconforms to the constriction 319, in contrast, is characterized by walls322 extending from the body segment 315. Walls 322, each having an innersurface 323 which tapers inwardly toward the body segment 315, arepreferably sufficiently spaced apart so as to firmly engage theconstriction 319. The design of the tongue 318 and its complementarychannel 321 allows the tongue 318 to laterally slide into the channel321 of an adjacent linkage member 311 in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal bore 324.

It will be appreciated that although parallel to the longitudinal bore324, the first plane in which tongue 318 lies, and the second plane inwhich channel 321 lies are perpendicular relative to one another (FIGS.18B and 19B). A pair of adjacent links 313 thus provides the ability topivot about two axes 314 that are at 90 degrees (i.e. perpendicular) toone another in a manner of a universal joint, and still permits theaxial transfer of torque. Since the present invention allows for such anability with any three consecutive linkage members 311, the flexibleshaft portion 310 may, therefore, conform to a wide range of curvaturesalong the bore axis 312 while still able to transmit torque to the drivetip 330. Alternatively, the plane in which each of the tongue 318 andchannel 321 lies may be disposed at less than 90 degrees relative to oneanother. When this is the case, more than three consecutive linkagemembers 311 may be needed to achieve the same range of motion availablewith perpendicularly disposed planes.

Central bore 324 in each linkage member 311 extends longitudinally fromthe male end 316 to the female end 317. When a plurality of linkagemembers 311 are joined in series, the bore 324 of one linkage member isconfigured to align with the bore 324 of an adjacent linkage member soas to form a continuous passageway along the flexible shaft portion 310,and through which a guide wire may be received. To ensure that thecoupling between adjacent linkage members 311 may further besufficiently secured, the present invention includes a ring 325, asshown in FIGS. 20A-B. Ring 325 may be assembled onto the flexible shaftportion 310 by first placing the ring 325 about the tongue 318 of alinkage member 311. Subsequently, the tongue 318 is slid laterally intothe channel 321 of an adjacent linkage member 311 in a direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the longitudinal bore 324. The ring 325is next advanced onto the female end 317 of the adjacent linkage member311, and in particular, about the walls 322. The ring, thereafter, ispreferably attached to the linkage member 311 by laser welding. However,other conventional methods of attachment well known in the art may alsobe used, for example, adhesive bonding or conventional welding. Byproviding a ring 325 about the female end 317 of a linkage member 311,in the presence of a lateral force, the tongue 318 is precluded fromlaterally sliding from the channel 321.

The distal end of the flexible shaft portion 310, as may be seen in FIG.16, is coupled to the cannulated drive tip 330 via a link 331. Thecannulation in the drive tip 330 is preferably aligned with thepassageway formed from the bores 324 in the linkage members 311 of theflexible shaft portion 310 so that a guide wire may be receivedtherethrough. The drive tip 330 has a head, as described above for theangled driver, shaped for engagement with the proximal end of a screw.In the preferred embodiment of the invention, link 331 comprises a maleend (not shown) on a terminal linkage member 326 of the flexible shaftportion 310, and a female end (not shown) on the drive tip 330. Thefemale end on the drive tip 330 has a design similar to the female end317 of a linkage member 311. In an alternative embodiment, link 331 maysubstitute, at the terminal linkage member 326, a female end 317 for themale end, and on the drive tip 330, a male end for the previouslyprovided female end, or any combination thereof appropriate for thecoupling of the flexible shaft portion 310 to the drive tip 330.

The proximal end of the flexible shaft portion 310, with reference stillbeing made to FIG. 16, is coupled to a distal portion 342 of handle 340.The handle 340, as previously indicated, is substantially similar inconfiguration to the above-described handles, including the provisionfor the optional locking screw 230 in FIG. 12. The handle 340 may alsoinclude a tunnel along the longitudinal axis 312 that is aligned withthe passageway formed by the longitudinal bore 324 in each linkagemember 311 of the flexible shaft portion 310. In this way, the guidewire extending up the drive tip 330 and through the flexible shaftportion 310 may also extend out through the handle 340. In accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention, the handle 340, as can beseen in FIG. 16, further comprises a stiff shaft portion 350 disposedbetween the distal portion 342 of handle 340 and the flexible shaftportion 310. The stiff shaft portion 350, capable of transmittingrotation from the handle 340 to the flexible shaft portion 310, iscannulated to permit a guide wire extending through the flexible shaftportion 310 to extend out through the handle 340.

The stiff shaft portion 350 is coupled to the flexible shaft portion 310via a link 351. Link 351 preferably includes, on the stiff shaft portion350, a male end 353 which is substantially similar to the male end 316of a linkage member 311, and a female end (not shown) on an initiallinkage member 327 of the flexible shaft portion 310 for receiving themale end 353. As with link 331, link 351 may substitute, at the initiallinkage member 327, a male end for the female end, and on the stiffshaft portion 350, a female end for the previously provided male end353, or any combination thereof appropriate for coupling the stiff shaftportion 350 to the flexible shaft portion 310.

It will be appreciated that in use the flexible shaft portion 310, thedrive tip 330, and the stiff shaft portion 350 must contact not onlysurrounding tissues, but must also be able to transmit torque from thehandle 340. Accordingly, it is preferable that these components be madefrom a biocompatible yet strong material, for example stainless steel ormolded plastic. Moreover, to protect the surrounding tissues from thebeing damaged between adjacent linkage members 311, the flexible shaftportion 310 is provided with a flexible sheath 352 disposed about theentire series of linkage members 311 (see FIGS. 15-16). If it isdesired, the flexible sheath 352 may also be made to extend over theentire stiff shaft portion 350.

The surgical screwdrivers described herein are useful for arthroscopicligament reconstruction procedures of the knee and of other joints inthe human body. The knee is an example of a moveable joint that sustainsinjury to connective tissue with relative frequency. Although thesurgical screwdrivers are described herein as applicable to methods ofanterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the surgical screwdriveraccording to the present invention can also be used in reconstructingposterior ligaments of the knee. Other joints also rely on ligaments tomaintain function. In all joints, ligaments play an important role inholding the different bones of the joints in alignment.

A method of least invasive, or arthroscopic, anterior cruciate ligamentreconstruction according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3. Anincision of minimal size is made medial to the tibial tubercle anddistal to the joint line to harvest a portion of the patellar tendonwhich will serve as a graft ligament. Subsequently, this incision can beutilized as the portal 142 for inserting surgical instruments to fix oneend of the graft ligament in the femoral bone tunnel as described below,and may also be used for access to the region of the cruciate ligamentattachment sites to help determine proper placement of the tibial andfemoral bone tunnels, with the knee being visualized with anarthroscope.

Tibial bone tunnel 128 and femoral bone tunnel 130 are formedrespectively in the tibia and femur. The femoral bone tunnel is formedby instruments inserted in a cephalad direction through the tibial bonetunnel. The femoral bone tunnel 130 is formed as an open-endedlongitudinally straight, cylindrical tunnel extending from an opening132 on the femoral condyle at the attachment site of the anteriorcruciate ligament on the femur to an opening 134 on the lateral femoralcortex with (in one embodiment of the method) soft tissue covering thelateral femoral cortex remaining intact. The central longitudinal axisof the femoral bone tunnel is therefore substantially offset from theportal 142.

A ligament 136, such as a prosthetic ligament or the graft ligamentharvested as previously described, having bone blocks 138 or othersuitable terminus at its ends, is inserted initially through the tibialbone tunnel 128 and into the femoral bone tunnel 130 via a puncturewound. (The puncture wound is in line with opening 134 on the lateralfemoral cortex and forward proximally and laterally on the patient'sthigh.) A rigid pushing rod may be used to help push the graft throughthe tibial tunnel and into the femoral tunnel. The ligament 136 is thenpositioned so as to extend across the knee joint with a bone block 138or other terminus positioned in each of the bone tunnels 128 and 130. Aguide wire is inserted through the portal 142 into the femoral tunnelalongside the ligament 136. The guide wire is used to guide a bone screwpositioned on a driver to the bone block at the end of the graftligament for the purposes of securing the ligament with the screw. Theguide wire 72 is made from a material such as a nickel-titanium alloywire and is typically on the order of 14 inches (36 cm) in length. It isinserted into the tibial bone tunnel 128 and through the femoral tunnel130, with the guide wire 72 exiting the knee through the soft tissueadjacent the lateral femoral cortex. Alternatively, the guide wire 72can be inserted through the opening 134 on the lateral femoral cortexvia the puncture wound described previously. The guide wire 72 isdisposed parallel with the bone block 138 and the wall 140 and,therefore, parallel with the central longitudinal axis of the femoralbone tunnel. If the guide wire is inserted first through the puncturewound, it is advanced until an end of the guide wire 72 is visible atthe knee joint. The visible end of the guide wire is grasped anddisposed externally of the knee, creating a substantial bend in theguide wire 72, as shown in FIG. 3, using an instrument which is insertedthrough an anteromedial or anterolateral portal. The bend in the guidewire is due to the fact that the portal 142 is substantially offsetfrom, and not aligned with, the central longitudinal axis of the femoralbone tunnel 130. A bone screw 144 having a cannula 145, in the form of acentral, coaxial, longitudinal passage therein, is mounted on the end ofthe guide wire 72 externally of the knee, the cannula having a diameterslightly larger than the diameter of the guide wire 72. The end of theguide wire 72 is frictionally secured in the cylindrical passage 62 ofthe drive tip 52. The bone screw 144 is moved along the guide wire andmounted on the drive tip 52 by drive recess 143. Since the drive recessis coaxial with the cannula, the drive shaft 14 protrudes from the backend of the bone screw 144 by about 5 mm.

With the knee at an angle of substantially 90°, the angled screwdriver10 is inserted at the knee joint via the portal 142. The driver isguided into the femoral bone tunnel 130 through the opening 132 on thefemoral condyle by simultaneously turning and pushing the driver withthe drive tip 52 oriented upwardly. The orientation of the drive tip isindicated by the indicator 127 on the forward handle section facing thesurgeon, as shown in FIG. 3A. The direction of insertion from the portal142 to the femoral bone tunnel 130 is at a non-zero acute angle withrespect to the central longitudinal axis of the femoral bone tunnelbecause the portal 142 is not aligned with the femoral bone tunnel axis.The angled screwdriver 10, as guided by the guide wire 172, is movedforward along the femoral bone tunnel 130, with the longitudinal axis ofthe drive shaft 14 disposed parallel with the longitudinal axis of thefemoral bone tunnel; and, concurrently, the guide wire 72 is pushedcephalad in the tunnel and through the puncture wound.

Once the tip of the bone screw 144 is disposed adjacent the bone block138, the rearward handle section 86 of the angled screwdriver ismanually rotated relative to the forward handle section 84, while theforward handle section is grasped and held fixed, to rotate theoperating shaft 12 relative to the sleeve 18. Consequently, the driveshaft 14 (the driven end), driven by handle 22, drives the screw 144 ina direction that is at a non-zero acute angle with respect to the handle(i.e, the driving end) of the angled screwdriver. Accordingly, the bonescrew 144 is driven in a forward direction in the femoral bone tunnel130 laterally between the bone block 138 and the wall 140 and parallelto the bone block 138 and the wall 140. A thread on the screw engagesthe tunnel wall 140 and the bone block 138 along the length of the boneblock to fixate the ligament 136. The bone screw is driven externally ofthe knee from a direction offset from the direction of bone screwinsertion and with the knee at an angle of substantially 90° such thatthe hyperflexion is avoided. The bone screw 144 is driven an additional5 mm into the femoral bone tunnel 130 due to the exposed portion of thedrive shaft 14 at the back end of the screw, allowing a countersinkbelow the opening 132.

The angled screwdriver 10 is then pulled away from the screw 144 forremoval through portal 142, and the guide wire 72 can be removed withthe driver 10 or pulled away from the driver 10 for removal via thepuncture wound in the soft tissue adjacent the lateral femoral cortex.The bone block 138 in the tibial bone tunnel 128 is then fixated byinserting a bone screw in the tibial bone tunnel and driving the bonescrew parallel to the bone block and a wall of the tibial bone tunnel.

It will be appreciated that portal 142 can be the same portal utilizedfor alignment determination in forming the tibial and femoral bonetunnels, and that a single portal can be used throughout the procedureto harvest the patellar tendon graft, to orient the tibial and femoralbone tunnels, to help orient the graft ligament, and to insert the bonescrew in the femoral bone tunnel.

It will also be appreciated that the drive shaft 14 of the surgicalscrewdriver can be offset from the handle 22 by the bend 78 or a curveas well as other configurations and that the bend, curve or otherconfiguration can be rigid or flexible. The angled surgical screwdriver10 can be used with or without the guide wire 72.

A related embodiment of the method of arthroscopic, anterior cruciateligament reconstruction is shown in FIG. 5. Instead of the femoral bonetunnel being formed as an open-ended tunnel, the femoral bone tunnel 130is formed as a blind, or closed-ended tunnel extending from an opening132 on the femoral condyle to an end wall 172 such that the femoral bonetunnel does not broach the lateral femoral cortex.

A graft or prosthetic ligament 136 having bone blocks 138 at its ends isinserted in the tibial bone tunnel 128 via the portal to extend acrossthe knee joint with a bone block 138 disposed in each of the bonetunnels of the femur and the tibia.

A bone screw 144 is mounted on the angled screwdriver 150 externally ofthe knee. The drive tip 52 of the driver is engaged in the drive recessof the screw and the retaining mechanism 152 is received in the cannulaof the screw. In this configuration, the drive shaft 14 protrudes beyondthe back end of the screw 144 substantially 5 mm. The curve of thedistal cylindrical section 158 of the wire 154 provides frictionalengagement in the cannula of the screw 144. The screw is positively heldby the retaining mechanism 152 upon the angled driver 150 prior to screwinsertion. This arrangement allows manipulation of the screw at the kneejoint while avoiding disengagement of the screw from the driver andpossible loss of the screw in the knee.

With the knee at an angle of substantially 90°, the angled driver 150with the screw 144 held thereon by retaining mechanism 152 is insertedat the knee joint via an anteromedial or anterolateral portal, such asanteromedial portal 174. The driver and screw are guided into thefemoral bone tunnel 130 through the opening 132 on the femoral condyle.The drive tip 52 remains pointed upwards as indicated by indicator 127facing the surgeon. The direction of insertion from the portal 174 tothe femoral bone tunnel 130 is at a non-zero acute angle with respect tothe central longitudinal axis of the femoral bone tunnel. The angleddriver 150 is advanced along the femoral bone tunnel 130 in a directionparallel with the bone block 138 and the wall 140, and therefore,parallel with the longitudinal axis of the femoral bone tunnel until thebone screw 144 is positioned laterally between the bone block 138 and awall 140 of the femoral bone tunnel as shown in FIG. 5.

Once the tip of the bone screw 144 is disposed adjacent the bone block138, the rearward handle section 86 of the angled driver 150 is rotatedrelative to the forward handle section 84 while the forward handlesection 86 is held fixed, to drive the bone screw 144 into the femoralbone tunnel 130 as described in connection with FIG. 3, and to fixatethe ligament 136. Again the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft 12is angularly disposed with respect to the direction of insertion. Thescrew is inserted an additional 5 mm into the femoral bone tunnel 128and driven parallel with the bone block 138 in the tibial bone tunnel.

As in the case of FIG. 3, portal 174 can be the same portal as utilizedin orienting the tibial and femoral bone tunnels, and a single portalcan be used to harvest the patellar tendon graft, to orient the tibialand femoral bone tunnels, and to fixate the ligament in the femoral bonetunnel.

A guide wire can be used with the angled driver 150 by being driven intothe femur to guide the driver during screw insertion. Such a guide wirecan be used with the retaining mechanism 152, or in place of theretaining mechanism 152, or as a retaining mechanism by lengthening thedistal cylindrical section 158.

As an alternative to the angled driver described above, the inventionalso provides, in a further embodiment, a method of arthroscopic,anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the flexible cannulatedscrewdriver 210 as shown in FIG. 14. For the ease of discussion,reference is now made to only the flexible cannulated screwdriver 214with the understanding that the steps disclosed hereinafter are equallyapplicable to the flexible cannulated screwdriver 300 shown in FIGS.15-16. The femoral tunnel may be formed as an open-ended tunnel or as ablind, or closed ended tunnel. The femoral tunnel may be drilled throughthe tibial tunnel with the knee at approximately 50 degrees of flexion.The flexible cannulated screwdriver used along a guide wire may besubstituted for the angled driver in above-described methods or thefollowing method may be employed advantageously. A graft or prostheticligament 136 having bone blocks 138 at its end is inserted in the tibialbone tunnel 128. A pushing rod may be used to push the graft across theknee joint into the femoral tunnel so that one bone block 138 isdisposed in each of the bone tunnels of the femur and the tibia. Theknee is placed at 90 degrees of flexion for insertion of the screw. Withthe knee in this position, the ligament advantageously drops back awayfrom the path of the interference screw. A guide wire 72 is insertedthrough the anteromedial portal 142 into the femoral tunnel alongsidethe bone block 138 therein. If desired, the curved sheath 220 may beslid over the guide wire to protect surrounding tissue from the screwthreads before the screw is driven into engagement with the bone blockand bone tunnel. However, with the knee placed at about 90° the sheathis generally not required. A cannulated interference screw 144 ismounted onto the guide wire 72. The flexible cannulated screwdriver isthen mounted on the guide wire such that the drive tip 246 of thescrewdriver engages the screw. The driver and screw are guided into theknee joint along the guide wire through the anteromedial portal. Thedriver and screw continue along the wire through the femoral condyleinto the femoral bone tunnel. The shaft of the driver advantageouslybends along the guide wire from the anteromedial portal into the bonetunnel. The screw is driven between the bone block and the wall parallelwith the longitudinal axis of the femoral bone tunnel. Rotation of thedriver handle is transmitted by the shaft to the screw. Once the screwis satisfactorily secured, the driver is pulled out back along the guidewire. If desired, the locking screw on the driver handle can betightened upon the guide wire so that the guide wire is removed alongwith the driver.

A related embodiment of an angled driver according to the presentinvention is shown at the distal end in FIGS. 6 and 7 as item 180, whichis similar to the angled driver 150, and includes a drive head housing20 mounting the drive shaft and a distal end of the operating shaft, thedrive shaft including a drive tip 52 having a hexagonal configuration incross-section for engaging a hexagonal drive recess 143 of aninterference bone fixation screw 144.

Drive head housing 20 of angled driver 180 is formed integrally withsleeve 18 and includes a flared section 182 distally joined to thesleeve 18, an intermediate cylindrical section 184 joined to flaredsection 182 and an angled section 186 joined to intermediate section184. The flared and intermediate sections 182 and 184 are axiallyaligned, while the angled section 186 is angularly offset from theflared and intermediate sections such that a longitudinal axis of theangled section is disposed at an angle, with respect to a longitudinalaxis of the flared and intermediate sections, that is substantially thesame as the angle that the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft isdisposed with the longitudinal axis of the operating shaft.

The drive tip 52 of the angled driver 180 is formed of six facets forengaging the drive recess 143 of the bone screw 144. Drive tip 52 canhave a configuration in cross-section that is substantially constantalong the length of the drive tip as shown in FIG. 6, or the drive tip52 can be tapered or stepped in a distal direction to further facilitateinsertion through very small portals and mobility at the knee joint. Itincludes a cylindrical passage 62 coaxial with the drive shaft as shownin FIG. 7, for securing retaining mechanism 152. Retaining mechanism 152includes a wire 154 press fit into passage 62 and having a distalcylindrical section 158 protruding beyond the drive tip 52. The distalcylindrical section 158 is formed with a thermally set, angled bendalong a longitudinal axis of the wire 154, the bend being offset fromthe longitudinal axis of the drive shaft for being disposed in thecannula 145 of the bone screw 144. The bone screw is mounted on drivetip 52 such that the screw will be forced slightly out of axialalignment with the drive tip 52 to produce frictional engagement of thedrive tip in the drive recess of the screw to resist disengagement ofthe screw from the angled driver prior to screw insertion as shown inFIG. 6.

A further modification of an angled driver according to the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 8 at 190, in which the bone screw is mountedon drive tip 52 without forcing the screw out of axial alignment withthe drive tip. In all other respects, angled driver 190 is substantiallythe same as angled driver 180.

Both angled drivers 180 and 190 and the flexible cannulated screwdrivercan be utilized for insertion of bone screws, in arthroscopic cruciateligament reconstruction in bone tunnels from directions offset from thedirection of screw insertion and from portals not aligned with the bonetunnels as previously described; and, the angled screwdriver 180 can beused with or without a guide wire.

The screwdrivers described herein allow bone screws to be inserted inbone tunnels parallel with walls of the bone tunnels and bone blocks inthe bone tunnels to obtain maximum thread purchase along the entirelength of the bone blocks with the screws being driven from directionsoffset from the direction of screw insertion. Bone screws can beinserted in femoral bone tunnels directly from anteromedial oranterolateral portals and without accessing the femoral bone tunnelsthrough the tibial bone tunnels. For example, bone screws can beinserted in the femoral bone tunnels with the knee positioned at anangle of substantially 90°. The present invention removes theundesirable requirement for hyperflexion of the knee in order to insertbone screws.

In addition, the same portal can be employed to perform procedurespreparatory to graft fixation, to orient the tibial and femoral bonetunnels and to insert interference screws in the femoral bone tunnel,thereby eliminating the need for portals in soft tissue adjacent thelateral femoral cortex specifically formed for the purpose of insertingbone screws in the femoral bone tunnel. Using the methods of thisinvention, trauma and invasiveness are minimized.

The surgical screwdriver and its methods of use described above foranterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee can also beapplied to other ligament reconstruction procedures includingarthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee. Inthe latter case, the driver provides a means to insert bone screws inbone tunnels in a direction parallel with walls of the bone tunnels andbone blocks in the bone tunnels to fixate a graft or prosthetic ligamentin the anatomic position of the posterior cruciate ligament whileintroducing the screws through portals not aligned with the direction ofscrew insertion. The flexible cannulated screwdriver advantageouslyaccommodates a wide range of angles between the portal and the tunnel.

Further details concerning practice of the present invention aredescribed by David A. McGuire, M.D., an inventor herein, in the brochureentitled "The Paramax ACL Guide System Surgical Technique", andincorporated herein by reference (published by Linvatec Corporation,Largo, Fla. 34643) submitted herewith.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations,modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that the subjectmatter discussed above and shown in the accompanying drawings may beinterpreted as illustrative not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:
 1. A screwdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable handlehaving a distal portion, and a central longitudinal axis; (b) a flexibleshaft portion coupled to the distal portion of the handle, the flexibleshaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed in series,each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough;(c) a plurality of links, each link joining a linkage member to anadjacent linkage member by a means for preventing adjacent linkagemembers from substantially rotating about the longitudinal axis relativeto one another, so as to permit torque to be transmitted along thelinkage members while permitting adjacent linkage members to bepivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis; and (d) a cannulated drive tipattached to a terminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion fordriving a cannulated screw with rotation transmitted from the flexibleshaft portion.
 2. A screwdriver as set forth in claim 1, wherein theflexible shaft portion and the cannulated driving tip are aligned suchthat a guide wire may be inserted into the cannulated drive tip andthrough the longitudinal bore of each linkage member in the flexibleshaft portion.
 3. A screwdriver as set forth in claim 1, wherein eachlinkage member includes a male end and a female end, the female endbeing adapted to engage a male end of an adjacent linkage member.
 4. Ascrewdriver as set forth in claim 3 wherein the male end includes atongue lying generally in a first plane parallel to the longitudinalbore, and the female end includes a channel adapted to receive thetongue of an adjacent linkage member, the channel defining a secondplane parallel to the longitudinal bore, wherein the first and secondplanes are less than perpendicular to one another.
 5. A screwdriver asset forth in claim 3, wherein the distal portion of the handleterminates in one of a male end and a female end for engaging the otherof a male end and a female end of a linkage member.
 6. A screwdriver asset forth in claim 5, wherein the flexible shaft portion terminates inone of a male end and a female end for engaging the other of a male endand a female end of the drive tip.
 7. A screwdriver as set forth inclaim 3, wherein the linkage member is generally cylindrical in shape.8. A screwdriver as set forth in claim 3, further including a flexiblesheath disposed about the entire series of linkage members of theflexible shaft portion.
 9. A screwdriver as set forth in claim 1,further comprising a stiff shaft portion disposed between the distalportion of the handle and the flexible shaft portion and having apassageway therethrough, the passageway being in axial alignment withthe central longitudinal axis.
 10. A screwdriver comprising:(a) arotable handle having a distal portion, and a central longitudinal axis;(b) a flexible shaft portion coupled to the distal portion of thehandle, the flexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage membersdisposed in series, each linkage member having a bore extendinglongitudinally therethrough and being joined to an adjacent linkagemember via link, so as to permit adjacent linkage members to bepivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis, so that the flexible shaft portionmay transmit rotation from the handle while conforming generally to acurvature along the longitudinal axis; and (c) a cannulated drive tipattached to terminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion fordriving a cannulated screw with rotation transmitted from the flexibleshaft portion;wherein each linkage member includes a male end and afemale end, the female end being adapted to engage a male end of anadjacent linkage member, and wherein the male end includes a tonguelying generally in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal bore, andthe female end includes a channel adapted to receive the tongue of anadjacent linkage member, the channel defining a second plane parallel tothe longitudinal bore, wherein the first and second planes areperpendicular to one another.
 11. A screwdriver comprising:(a) a rotablehandle having a distal portion, and a central longitudinal axis; (b) aflexible shaft portion coupled to the distal portion of the handle, theflexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed inseries, each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinallytherethrough and being joined to an adjacent linkage member via link, soas to permit adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable withrespect to one another about a pivot axis that is transverse to thelongitudinal axis, so that the flexible shaft portion may transmitrotation from the handle while conforming generally to a curvature alongthe longitudinal axis; and (c) a cannulated drive tip attached toterminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion for driving acannulated screw with rotation transmitted from the flexible shaftportion;wherein each linkage member, being generally cylindrical inshape, includes a male end and a female end, the female end beingadapted to engage a male end of an adjacent linkage member, and whereineach linkage member further includes a ring positioned circumferentiallyabout the female end therof for securing the engagement between thefemale end and the male end of an adjacent linkage member.
 12. Ascrewdriver comprising:(a) a rotable handle having a distal portion, anda central longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portion coupled to thedistal portion of the handle, the flexible shaft portion having aplurality of linkage members disposed in series, each linkage memberhaving a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and being joined toan adjacent linkage member via link, so as to permit adjacent linkagemembers to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about apivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis, so that theflexible shaft portion may transmit rotation from the handle whileconforming generally to a curvature along the longitudinal axis; and (c)a cannulated drive tip attached to terminal linkage member of theflexible shaft portion for driving a cannulated screw with rotationtransmitted from the flexible shaft portionwherein the handle includes atunnel along the longitudinal axis so that the entire screwdriverpossesses an axially disposed cannula.
 13. A surgical screwdriver forrotationally advancing a screw into a bone, the screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having a distal end, aproximal end, and a passageway extending from the distal end to theproximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portioncoupled to the distal end of the rotatable rigid shaft portion, theflexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed inseries, each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinallytherethrough; (c) a plurality of links, each link joining a linkagemember to an adjacent linkage member by a means for preventing adjacentlinkage members from substantially rotating about the longitudinal axisrelative to one another, so as to permit torque to be transmitted alongthe linkage members while permitting adjacent linkage members to bepivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis; (d) a handle fixed to the proximalend of the rigid shaft portion for rotating the stiff shaft portion; and(e) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkage member of theflexible shaft portion for advancing, upon rotation of the handle, acannulated screw situated on a guide wire.
 14. A surgical screwdriver asset forth in claim 13, wherein the cannulated drive tip is elongated sothat when the tip engages the cannulated screw at its proximal end, aportion of the tip protrudes beyond the proximal end of the screw by adistance so as to allow the screw to be driven into the bone until itsproximal end lies beneath the bone surface by such a distance.
 15. Asurgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 14, wherein such distance isapproximately 5 mm.
 16. A surgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 13,wherein each linkage member includes a male end and a female end, thefemale end being adapted for engaging a male end of an adjacent linkagemember.
 17. A surgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 16, wherein themale end includes a tongue lying generally in a first plane parallel tothe longitudinal bore, and the female end includes a channel adapted toreceive the tongue of an adjacent member, the channel defining a secondplane parallel to the longitudinal bore, wherein the first and secondplanes are less than perpendicular to one another.
 18. A surgicalscrewdriver as set forth in claim 16, wherein the proximal end of therigid shaft handle terminates in one of a male end and a female end forengaging the other of a male end and a female end of a linkage member.19. A surgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 18, wherein theflexible shaft portion terminates in one of a male end and a female endfor engaging the other of a male end and a female end of the drive tip.20. A surgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 16 wherein the linkagemember is generally cylindrical in shape.
 21. A surgical screwdriver asset forth in claim 16 further including a flexible sheath disposed aboutthe entire series of linkage members of the flexible shaft portion. 22.A surgical screwdriver as set forth in claim 21, wherein the flexiblesheath is also disposed about the rigid shaft portion.
 23. A surgicalscrewdriver for rotationally advancing a screw into a bone, thescrewdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having adistal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending from the distalend to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaftportion coupled to the distal end of the stiff shaft portion for beingrotated upon rotation of the stiff shaft portion, the flexible shaftportion having a plurality of linkage members disposed in series, eachlinkage member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough andbeing joined to an adjacent linkage member via a link so as to permitadjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to oneanother about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis;(c) a handle fixed to the proximal end of the rigid shaft portion forrotating the stiff shaft portion; and (d) a cannulated drive tipattached to a terminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion foradvancing, upon rotation of the handle, a cannulated screw situated on aguide wire;wherein the handle is cannulated and the passageway alignedso that the guide wire may extend up through the drive tip, through theflexible and rigid shaft portions, and out through the handle.
 24. Asurgical screwdriver for rotationally advancing a screw into a bone, thescrewdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having adistal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending from the distalend to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaftportion coupled to the distal end of the stiff shaft portion for beingrotated upon rotation of the stiff shaft portion, the flexible shaftportion having a plurality of linkage members disposed in series, eachlinkage member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough andbeing joined to an adjacent linkage member via a link so as to permitadjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to oneanother about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis;(c) a handle fixed to the proximal end of the rigid shaft portion forrotating the stiff shaft portion; and (d) a cannulated drive tipattached to a terminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion foradvancing, upon rotation of the handle, a cannulated screw situated on aguide wire;wherein each linkage member includes a male end and a femaleend, the female end being adapted for engaging a male end of an adjacentlinkage member, and wherein the male end includes a tongue lyinggenerally in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal bore, and thefemale end includes a channel adapted to receive the tongue of anadjacent linkage member, the channel defining a second plane parallel tothe longitudinal bore, wherein the first and second planes areperpendicular to one another.
 25. A surgical screwdriver forrotationally advancing a screw into a bone, the screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having a distal end, aproximal end, and a passageway extending from the distal end to theproximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portioncoupled to the distal end of the rotatable rigid shaft portion, theflexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed inseries, each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinallytherethrough; (c) a plurality of links, each link joining a linkagemember to an adjacent linkage member to permit torque to be transmittedalong the linkage members while permitting adjacent linkage members tobe pivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis thatis transverse to the longitudinal axis; (d) a handle fixed to theproximal end of the rigid shaft portion for rotating the stiff shaftportion; and (e) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkagemember of the flexible shaft portion for advancing, upon rotation of thehandle, a cannulated screw situated on a guide wire;wherein each linkagemember, being generally cylindrical in shape, includes a male end and afemale end, the female end being adapted to engage a male end of anadjacent linkage member; and wherein each linkage member furtherincludes a ring positioned circumferentially about the female endthereof for securing the engagement between the female end and the maleend of the adjacent linkage members.
 26. A surgical screwdriver forrotationally advancing a screw into a bone, the screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having a distal end, aproximal end, and a passageway extending from the distal end to theproximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portioncoupled to the distal end of the stiff shaft portion for being rotatedupon rotation of the stiff shaft portion, the flexible shaft portionhaving a plurality of linkage members disposed in series, each linkagemember having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough and beingjoined to an adjacent linkage member via a link so as to permit adjacentlinkage members to be pivotally movable with respect to one anotherabout a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis; (c) ahandle fixed to the proximal end of the rigid shaft portion for rotatingthe stiff shaft portion; and (d) a cannulated drive tip attached to aterminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion for advancing,upon rotation of the handle, a cannulated screw situated on a guidewire;wherein the handle includes a longitudinal tunnel so that thescrewdriver possesses an axially disposed cannula.
 27. A screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable handle having a distal portion, and a centrallongitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portion coupled to the distalportion of the handle, the flexible shaft portion having a plurality oflinkage members disposed in series, each linkage member having a boreextending longitudinally therethrough; (c) a plurality of links, eachlink joining a linkage member to an adjacent linkage member, so as topermit torque to be transmitted along the linkage members whilepermitting adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respectto one another about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinalaxis to conform generally to a curvature along the longitudinal axis;and (d) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkage member ofthe flexible shaft portion for driving a cannulated screw with rotationtransmitted from the flexible shaft portion;wherein each linkage memberincludes a male end and a female end, the female end being adapted toengage a male end of an adjacent linkage member, and wherein the maleend includes a tongue lying generally in a first plane parallel to thelongitudinal bore, and the female end includes a channel adapted toreceive the tongue of an adjacent linkage member, the channel defining asecond plane parallel to the longitudinal bore, wherein the first andsecond planes are perpendicular to one another.
 28. A screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable handle having a distal portion, and a centrallongitudinal axis: (b) a flexible shaft portion coupled to the distalportion of the handle, the flexible shaft portion having a plurality oflinkage members disposed in series, each linkage member having a boreextending longitudinally therethrough; (c) a plurality of links, eachlink joining a linkage member to an adjacent linkage member, so as topermit torque to be transmitted along the linkage members whilepermitting adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respectto one another about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinalaxis to conform generally to a curvature along the longitudinal axis;and (d) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkage member ofthe flexible shaft portion for driving a cannulated screw with rotationtransmitted from the flexible shaft portion;wherein each linkage member,being generally cylindrical in shape, includes a male end and a femaleend, the female end being adapted to engage a male end of an adjacentlinkage member, and wherein each linkage member further includes a ringpositioned circumferentially about the female end thereof for securingthe engagement between the female end and the male end of an adjacentlinkage member.
 29. A screwdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable handlehaving a distal portion, and a central longitudinal axis; (b) a flexibleshaft portion coupled to the distal portion of the handle, the flexibleshaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed in series,each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinally therethrough;(c) a plurality of links, each link joining a linkage member to anadjacent linkage member, so as to permit torque to be transmitted alongthe linkage members while permitting adjacent linkage members to bepivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis that istransverse to the longitudinal axis to conform generally to a curvaturealong the longitudinal axis; and (d) a cannulated drive tip attached toa terminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion for driving acannulated screw with rotation transmitted from the flexible shaftportion;wherein the handle includes a tunnel along the longitudinal axisso that the entire screwdriver possesses an axially disposed cannula.30. A surgical screwdriver for rotationally advancing a screw into abone, the screwdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portionhaving a distal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending from thedistal end to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexibleshaft portion coupled to the distal end of the rotatable rigid shaftportion, the flexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkagemembers disposed in series, each linkage member having a bore extendinglongitudinally therethrough; (c) a plurality of links, each link joininga linkage member to an adjacent linkage member to permit torque to betransmitted along the linkage members while permitting adjacent linkagemembers to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about apivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis; (d) a handlefixed to the proximal end of the rigid shaft portion for rotating thestiff shaft portion; and (e) a cannulated drive tip attached to aterminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion for advancing,upon rotation of the handle, a cannulated screw situated on a guidewire;wherein the handle is cannulated and the passageway aligned so thatthe guide wire may extend up through the drive tip, through the flexibleand rigid shaft portions, and out through the handle.
 31. A surgicalscrewdriver for rotationally advancing a screw into a bone, thescrewdriver comprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having adistal end, a proximal end, and a passageway extending from the distalend to the proximal end along a longitudinal axis; a flexible shaftportion coupled to the distal end of the rotatable rigid shaft portion,the flexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage membersdisposed in series, each linkage member having a bore extendinglongitudinally therethrough; (c) a plurality of links, each link joininga linkage member to an adjacent linkage member to permit torque to betransmitted along the linkage members while permitting adjacent linkagemembers to be pivotally movable with respect to one another about apivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis; (d) a handlefixed to the proximal end of the rigid shaft portion for rotating thestiff shaft portion; and (e) a cannulated drive tip attached to aterminal linkage member of the flexible shaft portion for advancing,upon rotation of the handle, a cannulated screw situated on a guidewire;wherein each linkage member includes a male end and a female end,the female end being adapted for engaging a male end of an adjacentlinkage member, and wherein the male end includes a tongue lyinggenerally in a first plane parallel to the longitudinal bore, and thefemale end includes a channel adapted to receive the tongue of anadjacent linkage member, the channel defining a second plane parallel tothe longitudinal bore, wherein the first and second planes areperpendicular to one another.
 32. A surgical screwdriver forrotationally advancing a screw into a bone, the screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable rigid shaft portion having a distal end, aproximal end, and a passageway extending from the distal end to theproximal end along a longitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portioncoupled to the distal end of the rotatable rigid shaft portion, theflexible shaft portion having a plurality of linkage members disposed inseries, each linkage member having a bore extending longitudinallytherethrough; (c) a plurality of links, each link joining a linkagemember to an adjacent linkage member to permit torque to be transmittedalong the linkage members while permitting adjacent linkage members tobe pivotally movable with respect to one another about a pivot axis thatis transverse to the longitudinal axis; (d) a handle fixed to theproximal end of the rigid shaft portion for rotating the stiff shaftportion; and (e) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkagemember of the flexible shaft portion for advancing, upon rotation of thehandle, a cannulated screw situated on a guide wire;wherein each linkagemember, being generally cylindrical in shape, includes a male end and afemale end, the female end being adapted to engage a male end of anadjacent linkage member; and wherein each linkage member furtherincludes a ring positioned circumferentially about the female endthereof for securing the engagement between the female end and the maleend of the adjacent linkage members.
 33. A surgical screwdriver forrotationally advancing a screw into a bone, the screwdrivercomprising:(a) a rotatable handle having a distal portion, and a centrallongitudinal axis; (b) a flexible shaft portion coupled to the distalportion of the handle, the flexible shaft portion having a plurality oflinkage members disposed in series, each linkage member having a boreextending longitudinally therethrough; (c) a plurality of links, eachlink joining a linkage member to an adjacent linkage member, so as topermit torque to be transmitted along the linkage members whilepermitting adjacent linkage members to be pivotally movable with respectto one another about a pivot axis that is transverse to the longitudinalaxis to conform generally to a curvature along the longitudinal axis;and (d) a cannulated drive tip attached to a terminal linkage member ofthe flexible shaft portion for driving a cannulated screw with rotationtransmitted from the flexible shaft portion;wherein the handle includesa longitudinal tunnel so that the screwdriver possesses an axiallydisposed cannula.